Danny Ings would like to stay at Aston Villa to make a statement this season...

What's the word?

That's according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who has delivered an update on the future of the England striker, having been linked with a move away in recent weeks.

The 30-year-old has been the subject of interest from Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, with Football Insider also reporting back in April that the Villans' hierarchy would be prepared to sell him for the right price.

"I’d say there’s still some uncertainty over Danny Ings’ future," the Eurosport journalist told GIVEMESPORT this week.

"Unless a really tempting offer comes in for him, I think he would prefer to remain part of this project and prove that he’s capable of living up to the hype."

Gerrard needs him

Villa boss Steven Gerrard will surely be delighted to learn that Ings is prepared to not only stay and fight for his place but also deliver on the hype of that £25m price tag.

It's true that things haven't gone to plan for the former Liverpool and Southampton forward since arriving at Villa Park. He scored seven goals and laid on a further six assists last season, though only eight of those goal contributions came under Gerrard.

On the south coast, Ings was more prolific, bagging 12 and 22 league goals during his final two seasons for the Saints and it's this sort of form that the ex-Rangers boss needs to get out of him again.

If Gerrard can get the £18m-rated frontman firing that sort of form again, then Villa will have a very dangerous threat in attack indeed.

One particularly standout performance for the Villans back in May saw Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp laud Ings as "unbelievable", whilst Independent journalist Karl Matchett once dubbed him a "goal machine."

With Villa looking to improve on last season's 14th-place finish, a fit and firing Ings could well be exactly what Gerrard needs to transform their fortunes on the pitch and this behind-the-scenes claim from Jones will surely leave the Liverpudlian absolutely delighted.

The 42-year-old should be able to count on the English striker this campaign.

AND in other news, Gerrard could land his very own Luis Suarez in Villa swoop for "gifted" £30m talent...